Optical data carrier comprising a merocyanine dye as light-absorbent compound in the information layer

ABSTRACT

Optical data carrier comprising a preferably transparent substrate which may, if desired, have previously been coated with one or more reflection layers and to whose surface a light-writeable information layer, if desired one or more reflection layers and if desired a protective layer or a further substrate or a covering layer have been applied, which can be written on or read by means of blue, red or infrared light, preferably laser light, where the information layer comprises a light-absorbent compound and, if desired, a binder, characterized in that at least one merocyanine dye is used as light-absorbent compound.

[0001] The invention relates to a write-once optical data carriercomprising a merocyanine dye as light-absorbent compound in theinformation layer, to a process for its production and also to theapplication of the above-mentioned dyes to a polymer substrate, inparticular polycarbonate, by spin coating or vapour deposition.

[0002] Write-once optical data carriers using specific light-absorbentsubstances or mixtures thereof are particularly suitable for use inhigh-density writeable optical data stores which operate with blue laserdiodes, in particular GaN or SHG laser diodes (360-460 nm) and/or foruse in DVD-R or CD-R disks which operate with red (635-660 nm) orinfrared (780-830 nm) laser diodes.

[0003] The write-once compact disk (CD-R, 780 nm) has recentlyexperienced enormous volume growth and represents the technicallyestablished system.

[0004] The next generation of optical data stores—DVDs—is currentlybeing introduced onto the market. Through the use of shorter-wave laserradiation (635-660 nm) and higher numerical aperture NA, the storagedensity can be increased. The writeable format in this case is DVD-R.

[0005] Today, optical data storage formats which use blude laser diodes(based on GaN, JP 08 191 171 or Second Harmonic Generation SHG JP 09 050629) (360 nm-460 nm) with high laser power are being developed.Writeable optical data stores will therefore also be used in thisgeneration. The achievable storage density depends on the focussing ofthe laser spot on the information plane. Spot size scales with the laserwavelength λ/NA. NA is the numerical aperture of the objective lensused. In order to obtain the highest possible storage density, the useof the smallest possible wavelength λ is the aim. At present 390 nm ispossible on the basis of semiconductor laser diodes.

[0006] The patent literature describes dye-based writeable optical datastores which are equally suitable for CD-R and DVD-R systems (JP-A 11043 481 and JP-A 10 181 206). To achieve a high reflectivity and a highmodulation height of the read-out signal and also to achieve sufficientsensitivity in writing, use is made of the fact that the IR wavelengthof 780 nm of CD-Rs is located at the foot of the long wavelength flankof the absorption peak of the dye and the red wavelength of 635 nm or650 nm of DVD-Rs is located at the foot of the short wavelength flank ofthe absorption peak of the dye. In JP-A 02 557 335, JP-A 10 058 828,JP-A 06 336 086, JP-A 02 865 955, WO-A 09 917 284 and U.S. Pat. No.5,266,699, this concept is extended to the 450 nm working wavelengthregion on the short wavelength flank and the red and IR region on thelong wavelength flank of the absorption peak.

[0007] Apart from the abovementioned optical properties, the writeableinformation layer comprising light-absorbent organic substances has tohave a substantially amorphous morphology to keep the noise signalduring writing or reading as small as possible. For this reason, it isparticularly preferred that crystallization of the light-absorbentsubstances be prevented in the application of the substances by spincoating from a solution, by vapour deposition and/or sublimation duringsubsequent covering with metallic or dielectric layers under reducedpressure.

[0008] The amorphous layer comprising light-absorbent substancespreferably has a high heat distortion resistance, since otherwisefurther layers of organic or inorganic material which are applied to thelight-absorbent information layer by sputtering or vapour depositionwould form blurred boundaries due to diffusion and thus adversely affectthe reflectivity. Furthermore, a light-absorbent substance which hasinsufficient heat distortion resistance can, at the boundary to apolymeric support, diffuse into the latter and once again adverselyaffect the reflectivity.

[0009] A light-absorbent substance whose vapour pressure is too high cansublime during the above-mentioned deposition of further layers bysputtering or vapour deposition in a high vacuum and thus reduce thelayer thicknes to below the desired value. This in turn has an adverseeffect on the reflectivity.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide suitablecompounds which satisfy the high requirements (e.g. light stability,favourable signal/noise ratio, damage-free application to the substratematerial, and the like) for use in the information layer in a write-onceoptical data carrier, in particular for high-density writeable opticaldata store formats in a laser wavelength range from 340 to 830 nm.

[0011] Surprisingly, it has been found that light-absorbent compoundsselected from the group of merocyanine dyes can satisfy theabovementioned requirement profile particularly well.

[0012] The invention accordingly provides an optical data carriercomprising a preferably transparent substrate which may, if desired,have previously been coated with one or more reflection layers and towhose surface a light-writeable information layer, if desired one ormore reflection layers and if desired a protective layer or a furthersubstrate or a covering layer have been applied, which can be written onor read by means of blue, red or infrared light, preferably laser light,where the information layer comprises a light-absorbent compound and, ifdesired, a binder, characterized in that at least one merocyanine dye isused as light-absorbent compound.

[0013] The light-absorbent compound should preferably be able to bechanged thermally. The thermal change preferably occurs at a temperatureof <600° C., particularly preferably at a temperature of <400° C., veryparticularly preferably at a temperature of <300° C., in particular<200° C. Such a change can be, for example, a decomposition or chemicalchange of the chromophoric centre of the light-absorbent compound.

[0014] Preference is given to a merocyanine dye of the formula

[0015] where

[0016] A represents a radical of the formula

[0017] X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R¹, CONHR³, CONR³R⁴ or SO₂R¹,

[0018] X² represents hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, a five- orsix-membered heterocyclic radical, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R², CONHR³, CONR³R⁴,SO₂R¹ or a radical of the formula

[0019] or

[0020] CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

[0021] which may be benzo- or naphtho-fused and/or substituted bynonionic or ionic radicals, where the asterisk (*) indicates the ringatom from which the double bond extends,

[0022] X³ represents N or CH,

[0023] X⁴ represents O, S, N, N—R⁶ or CH, where X³ and X⁴ do notsimultaneously represent CH,

[0024] X⁵ represents O, S or N—R⁶,

[0025] X⁶ represents O, S, N, N—R⁶, CH or CH₂,

[0026] the ring B of the formula (II)

[0027] together with X⁴, X³ and the C atom between them

[0028] and the ring C of the formula (V)

[0029] together with X⁵, X⁶ and the C atom between them

[0030] each represent, independently of one another, a five- orsix-membered aromatic, pseudoaromatic or partially hydrogenatedheterocyclic ring which can contain from 1 to 4 heteroatoms and/or maybe benzo- or naphtho-fused and/or substituted by nonionic or ionicradicals,

[0031] the ring D together with the N atom represents a hydrogenatedfive- or six-membered heterocyclic ring which can contain from 1 to 4heteroatoms and/or may be substituted by nonionic or ionic radicals,

[0032] the ring E together with the N atom represents an aromatic,pseudoaromatic or partially hydrogenated five- or six-memberedheterocyclic ring which can contain from 1 to 4 heteroatoms and/or maybe benzo- or naphtho-fused and/or substituted by nonionic or ionicradicals,

[0033] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0034] Y¹ represents N or C—R⁷,

[0035] Y² represents N or C—R⁸,

[0036] R⁰ represents C₁-C₆-alkyl or C₇-C₁₅-aralkyl,

[0037] R¹ to R⁶ and R^(5′) represent, independently of one another,hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-alkenyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl orC₇-C₁₅-aralkyl,

[0038] R⁷ and R⁸ represent, independently of one another, hydrogen,cyano or C₁-C₆-alkyl or

[0039] R⁶ and R⁸ together represent a CH₂)₂— or —(CH₂)₃— bridge,

[0040] R⁹ and R¹⁰ represent, independently of one another, C₁-C₆-alkyl,C₆-C₁₀-aryl, a five- or six-membered heterocyclic radical orC₇-C₁₅-aralkyl or

[0041] NR⁹R¹⁰ may form a five- or six-membered ring and

[0042] n represents 1 or 2.

[0043] Possible nonionic radicals are, for example, C₁-C₄-alkyl,C₁-C₄-alkoxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl,C₁-C₄-alkylthio, phenyl, pyridyl, C₁-C₄-alkanoylamino, benzoylamino,mono- or di-C₁-C₄-alkylamino, pyrrolidino, piperidino, piperazino ormorpholino.

[0044] Possible ionic radicals are, for example, ammonium radicals orCOO⁻ or SO₃ ⁻ radicals which may be bound via a direct bond or via—(CH₂)_(n)—, where n represents an integer from 1 to 6.

[0045] Alkyl, alkoxy, aryl and heterocyclic radicals may, if desired,bear further radicals such as alkyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, CO—NH₂,alkoxy, trialkylsilyl, trialkylsiloxy or phenyl, the alkyl and alkoxyradicals may be straight-chain or branched, the alkyl radicals may bepartially halogenated or perhalogenated, the alkyl and alkoxy radicalsmay be ethoxylated or propoxylated or silylated, adjacent alkyl and/oderalkoxy radicals on aryl or heterocyclic radicals may together form athree- or four-membered bridge and the heterocyclic radicals may bebenzo-fused and/or quaternized.

[0046] Preference is given to

[0047] the ring B of the formula (II) representing furan-2-yl,thiophen-2-yl, pyrrol-2-yl, benzofuran-2-yl, benzothiophen-2-yl,thiazol-5-yl, imidazol-5-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, 1,3,4-triazol-2-yl,2- or 4-pyridyl, 2- or 4-quinolyl, where the individual rings may besubstituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine,iodine, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,C₁-C₆-acylamino, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy, C₆-C₁₀-arylcarbonylamino,mono- or di-C₁-C₆-alkylamino, N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-N—C₆-C₁₀-arylamino,pyrrolidino, morpholino or piperidino, and

[0048] the ring C of the formula (V) representingbenzothiazol-2-ylidene, benzoxazol-2-ylidene, benzimidazol-2-ylidene,pyrrolin-2-ylidene, thiazol-2-ylidene, thiazolin-2-ylidene,isothiazol-3-ylidene, isoxazol-3-ylidene, oxazolin-2-ylidene,imidazol-2-ylidene, pyrazol-5-ylidene, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylidene,1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylidene, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-ylidene,1,3,4-triazol-2-ylidene, 3H-indol-2-ylidene, dihydropyridin-2- or-4-ylidene, dihydroquinolin-2- or -4-ylidene, where the individual ringsmay be substituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,C₁-C₆-acylamino, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy, C₆-C₁₀-arylcarbonylamino,mono- or di-C₁-C₆-alkylamino, N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-N—C₆-C₁₀-arylamino,pyrrolidino, morpholino or piperidino.

[0049] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the merocyanines used areones of the formula (VI)

[0050] where

[0051] X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or SO₂R¹,

[0052] X² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, 2- or 4-pyridyl,thiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or aradical of the formula

[0053] or

[0054] CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

[0055] which may be substituted by up to 3 radicals selected from thegroup consisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenyl,

[0056] SO₃ ⁻M⁺, —CH₂—SO₃ ⁻M⁺,

[0057] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0058] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0059] M⁺ represents a cation,

[0060] X³ represents CH,

[0061] X⁴ represents O, S or N—R⁶,

[0062] the ring B of the formula (II) represents furan-2-yl,thiophen-2-yl, pyrrol-2-yl or thiazol-5-yl, where the rings mentionedmay each be substituted by methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy,ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl,ethoxycarbonyl, methylthio, ethylthio, phenoxy, tolyloxy, dimethylamino,diethylamino, dipropylamino, dibutylamino, N-methyl-N-phenylamino,pyrrolidino or morpholino,

[0063] Y¹ represents N or C—R⁷,

[0064] R¹, R², R⁵ and R⁶ represent, independently of one another,hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl or benzyland

[0065] R⁵ may also represent —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂ or —(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻,

[0066] R^(5′) represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,phenyl or benzyl and

[0067] R⁷ represents hydrogen or cyano.

[0068] In a likewise particularly preferred embodiment, the merocyaninesused are ones of the formula (VII)

[0069] where

[0070] X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or SO₂R¹,

[0071] X² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, 2- or 4-pyridyl,thiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or aradical of the formula

[0072] or

[0073] CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

[0074] which may be substituted by up to 3 radicals selected from thegroup consisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenyl,

[0075] SO₃ ⁻M⁺, —CH₂—SO₃ ⁻M⁺,

[0076] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0077] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0078] M⁺ represents a cation,

[0079] X⁵ represents N—R⁶,

[0080] X⁶ represents S, N—R⁶ or CH₂,

[0081] the ring C of the formula (V) represents benzothiazol-2-ylidene,benzimidazol-2-ylidene, thiazol-2-ylidene, thiazolin-2-ylidene,1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylidene, 1,3,4-triazol-2-ylidene,dihydropyridin-4-ylidene, dihydroquinolin-4-ylidene, pyrrolin-2-ylideneor 3H-indol-2-ylidene, where the rings mentioned may each be substitutedby methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylthio,ethylthio, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, dibutylamino,N-methyl-N-phenylamino, pyrrolidino or morpholino,

[0082] Y²Y¹ represents N—N or (C—R⁸)—(C—R⁷),

[0083] R¹, R², R⁵ and R⁶ represent, independently of one another,hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl or benzyland

[0084] R⁵ may also represent —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂ or —(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻,

[0085] R^(5′) represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,phenyl or benzyl,

[0086] R⁷ and R⁸ represent hydrogen or

[0087] R⁶ and R⁸ together represent a —CH₂—CH₂— bridge.

[0088] In a likewise particularly preferred embodiment, the merocyaninesused are ones of the formula (VIII)

[0089] where

[0090] X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or SO₂R¹,

[0091] X² represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, 2- or 4-pyridyl,thiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or aradical of the formula

[0092] or

[0093] CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

[0094] which may be substituted by up to 3 radicals selected from thegroup consisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenyl,

[0095] SO₃ ⁻M⁺, —CH₂—SO₃ ⁻M⁺,

[0096] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0097] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0098] M⁺ represents a cation,

[0099] NR⁹R¹⁰ represents dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino,dibutylamino, N-methyl-N-phenylamino, N-ethyl-N-phenylamino,N-methyl-N-tolylamino, N-methyl-N-anisylamino, carbazolo, pyrrolidino,piperidino or morpholino,

[0100] Y¹ represents N or C—R⁷,

[0101] R¹, R², R⁵ and R⁶ represent, independently of one another,hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl or benzyland

[0102] R⁵ may also represent —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂ or —(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻,

[0103] R^(5′) represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,phenyl or benzyl,

[0104] R⁷ represents hydrogen and

[0105] n represents 0 or 1.

[0106] Possible anions An⁻ are all monovalent anions or one equivalentof a polyvalent anion. Preference is given to colourless anions.Examples of suitable anions are chloride, bromide, iodide,tetrafluoroborate, perchlorate, hexafluorosilicate, hexafluorophosphate,methosulphate, ethosulphate, C₁-C₁₀-alkanesulphonate,C₁-C₁₀-perfluoroalkanesulphonate, unsubstituted or chlorine-, hydroxy-or C₁-C₄-alkoxy-substituted C₁-C₁₀-alkanoate, unsubstituted or nitro-,cyano-, hydroxy-, C₁-C₂₅-alkyl-, perfluoro-C₁-C₄-alkyl-,C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl- or chloro-substituted benzene-sulphonate,naphthalenesulphonate or biphenylsulphonate, unsubstituted or nitro-,cyano-, hydroxy-, C₁-C₄-alkyl-, C₁-C₄-alkoxy-, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl- orchloro-substituted benzenedisulphonate, naphthalenedisulphonate orbiphenyldisulphonate, unsubstituted or nitro-, cyano-, C₁-C₄-alkyl-,C₁-C₄-alkoxy-, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl-, benzoyl-, chlorobenzoyl- ortoluoyl-substituted benzoate, the anion of naphthalenedicarboxylic acid,(diphenyl ether)disulphonate, tetraphenylborate, cyanotriphenylborate,tetra-C₁-C₂₀-alkoxyborate, tetraphenoxyborate, 7,8- or7,9-dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1-) or (2-), which may, if desired, besubstituted on the B and/or C atoms by one or two C₁-C₁₂-alkyl or phenylgroups, dodecahydro-dicarbadodecaborate(2-) andB-C₁-C₁₂-alkyl-C-phenyl-dodecahydro-dicarba-dodecaborate(1-).

[0107] Preference is given to bromide, iodide, tetrafluoroborate,perchlorate, methanesulphonate, benzenesulphonate, toluenesulphonate,dodecylbenzenesulphonate, tetradecanesulphonate.

[0108] Possible cations M⁺ are all monovalent cations or one equivalentof a polyvalent cation. Preference is given to colourless cations.Examples of suitable cations are lithium, sodium, potassium,tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium,trimethyl-benzylammonium, trimethyl-caprylammonium and Fe(C₅H₅)₂ ⁺(where C₅H₅=cyclopentadienyl).

[0109] Preference is given to tetramethylammonium, tetraethylammonium,tetrabutylammonium.

[0110] In the case of a write-once optical data carrier according to theinvention which is written on and read by means of the light of a bluelaser, preference is given to merocyanine dyes whose absorption maximumλ_(max1) is in the range from 340 to 410 nm, where the wavelengthλ_(1/2) at which the absorbance in the long wavelength flank of theabsorption maximum at the wavelength λ_(max1) is half of the absorbancevalue at λ_(max1) and the wavelength λ_(1/10) at which the absorbance inthe long wavelength flank of the absorption maximum at the wavelengthλ_(max1) is one tenth of the absorbance value at λ_(max1) are preferablynot more than 50 nm apart. Such a merocyanine dye preferably has nolonger-wavelength maximum λ_(max2) up to a wavelength of 500 nm,particularly preferably up to 550 nm, very particularly preferably up to600 nm.

[0111] Preference is given to merocyanine dyes having an absorptionmaximum λ_(max1) of from 345 to 400 nm.

[0112] Particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max1) of from 350 to 380 nm.

[0113] Very particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max1) of from 360 to 370 nm.

[0114] In the case of these merocyanine dyes, λ_(1/2) and λ_(1/10), asdefined above, are preferably not more than 40 nm apart, particularlypreferably not more than 30 nm apart, very particularly preferably notmore than 20 nm apart.

[0115] In the case of a write-once optical data carrier according to theinvention which is written on and read by means of the light of a bluelaser, preference is given to merocyanine dyes whose absorption maximumλ_(max2) is in the range from 420 to 550 nm, where the wavelengthλ_(1/2) at which the absorbance in the short wavelength flank of theabsorption maximum at the wavelength λ_(max2) is half of the absorbancevalue at λ_(max2) and the wavelength λ_(1/10) at which the absorbance inthe short wavelength flank of the absorption maximum at the wavelengthλ_(max2) is one tenth of the absorbance value at λ_(max2) are preferablynot more than 50 nm apart. Such a merocyanine dye preferably has noshorter-wavelength maximum λ_(max1) down to a wavelength of 350 nm,particularly preferably down to 320 nm, very particularly preferablydown to 290 nm.

[0116] Preference is given to merocyanine dyes having an absorptionmaximum λ_(max2) of from 410 to 530 nm.

[0117] Particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max2) of from 420 to 510 nm.

[0118] Very particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max2) of from 430 to 500 nm.

[0119] In these merocyanine dyes, λ_(1/2) and λ_(1/10), as definedabove, are preferably not more than 40 nm apart, particularly preferablynot more than 30 nm apart, very particularly preferably not more than 20nm apart.

[0120] In the case of a write-once optical data carrier according to theinvention which is written on and read by means of the light of a redlaser, preference is given to merocyanine dyes whose absorption maximumλ_(max2) is in the range from 500 to 650 nm, where the wavelengthλ_(1/2) at which the absorbance in the long wavelength flank of theabsorption maximum at the wavelength λ_(max2) is half of the absorbancevalue at λ_(max2) and the wavelength λ_(1/10) at which the absorbance inthe long wavelength flank of the absorption maximum at the wavelengthλ_(max2) is one tenth of the absorbance value at λ_(max2) are preferablynot more than 50 nm apart. Such a merocyanine dye preferably has nolonger-wavelength maximum λ_(max3) up to a wavelength of 750 nm,particularly preferably up to 800 nm, very particularly preferably up to850 nm.

[0121] Preference is given to merocyanine dyes having an absorptionmaximum λ_(max2) of from 530 to 630 nm.

[0122] Particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max2) of from 550 to 620 nm.

[0123] Very particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max2) of from 580 to 610 nm.

[0124] In these merocyanine dyes, λ_(1/2) and λ_(1/10), as definedabove, are preferably not more than 40 nm apart, particularly preferablynot more than 30 nm apart, very particularly preferably not more than 20nm apart.

[0125] In the case of a write-once optical data carrier according to theinvention which is written on and read by means of the light of ainfrared laser, preference is given to merocyanine dyes whose absorptionmaximum λ_(max3) is in the range from 650 to 810 nm, where thewavelength λ_(1/2) at which the absorbance in the long wavelength flankof the absorption maximum at the wavelength λ_(max3) is half of theabsorbance value at λ_(max3) and the wavelength λ_(1/10) at which theabsorbance in the long wavelength flank of the absorption maximum at thewavelength λ_(max3) is one tenth of the absorbance value at λ_(max3) arepreferably not more than 50 nm apart.

[0126] Preference is given to merocyanine dyes having an absorptionmaximum λ_(max3) of from 660 to 790 nm.

[0127] Particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max3) of from 670 to 760 nm.

[0128] Very particular preference is given to merocyanine dyes having anabsorption maximum λ_(max3) of from 680 to 740 nm.

[0129] In these merocyanine dyes, λ_(1/2) and λ_(1/10), as definedabove, are preferably not more than 40 nm apart, particularly preferablynot more than 30 nm apart, very particularly preferably not more than 20nm apart.

[0130] The merocyanine dyes have a molar extinction coefficient ε of >40000 l/mol cm, preferably >60 000 l/mol cm, particularly preferably >80000 l/mol cm, very particularly preferably >100 000 l/mol cm, at theabsorption maximum λ_(max1g)λ_(max2) and/or λ_(max3).

[0131] The absorption spectra are measured, for example, in solution.

[0132] Suitable merocyanines having the required spectral propertiesare, in particular, those in which the dipole moment changeΔμ=|μ_(g)−μ_(ag)|, i.e. the positive difference between the dipolemoments in the ground state and in the first excited state, is verysmall, preferably <5 D, particularly preferably <2 D. A method ofdetermining such a dipole moment change Δμ is described, for example, inF. Würthner et al., Angew. Chem. 1997, 109, 2933, and in the literaturecited therein. A low solvent-induced wavelength shift (dioxane/DMF) islikewise a suitable selection criterion. Preference is given tomerocyanines whose solvent-induced wavelength shiftΔλ=|λ_(DMF)−λ_(dioxane)|, i.e. the positive difference between theabsorption wavelengths in the solvents dimethylformamide and dioxane, is<20 nm, particularly preferably <10 nm, very particularly preferably <5nm

[0133] Merocyanines which are very particularly preferred for thepurposes of the invention are those of the formulae

[0134] where

[0135] X₁₀₁ represents O or S,

[0136] X¹⁰² represents Nor CR¹⁰⁴,

[0137] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0138] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0139] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0140] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or a radical of the formula

[0141] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0142] R¹⁰⁴ preferably represents hydrogen or cyano.

[0143] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formulae

[0144] where

[0145] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0146] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0147] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0148] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino, R¹⁰³represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0149] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or radical of the formula

[0150] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0151] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0152] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0153] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0154] a radical of the formula

[0155] where in the case of the formula (CX), the two radicals R¹⁰⁵ maybe different,

[0156] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0157] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₂SO₃⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0158] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0159] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0160] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0161] R¹⁰⁴ preferably represents hydrogen or cyano. Y¹ preferablyrepresents CH.

[0162] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formulae

[0163] where

[0164] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0165] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0166] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0167] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0168] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0169] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or a radical of the formula

[0170] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0171] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0172] X¹⁰⁴ represents 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-yl,benzothiazol-2-yl, oxazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, benzimidazol-2-yl,N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl or N-ethylbenzimidazol-2-yl or radical of theformula

[0173] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, hydrogen,methyl, cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and

[0174] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0175] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0176] R¹⁰⁴ preferably represents hydrogen or cyano. Y¹ preferablyrepresents CH.

[0177] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents a radical of the formula

[0178] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends, and

[0179] R¹¹⁵, R¹¹⁶ and An are as defined above.

[0180] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formula

[0181] where

[0182] X¹⁰⁵ represents S or CR¹¹⁰R¹¹¹,

[0183] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0184] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0185] R¹¹⁰ and R¹¹¹ represent, independently of one another, methyl orethyl or

[0186] CR¹¹⁰R¹¹¹ represents a bivalent radical of the formula

[0187] where two bonds go out from the asterisked (*) atom,

[0188] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0189] X¹⁰⁵ preferably represents C(CH₃)₂.

[0190] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formula

[0191] where

[0192] X¹⁰⁵ represents S or CR¹¹⁰R¹¹¹,

[0193] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0194] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0195] R¹¹⁰ and R¹¹¹ represent, independently of one another, methyl orethyl or

[0196] CR¹¹⁰R¹¹¹ represents a bivalent radical of the formula

[0197] where two bonds go out from the asterisked (*) atom,

[0198] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0199] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0200] where the asterisk (*) indiates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0201] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0202] a radical of the formula

[0203] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0204] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₂SO₃⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0205] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0206] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0207] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0208] X¹⁰⁵ preferably represents C(CH₃)₂. Y¹ preferably represents CH.CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents a radical of the formula (CIX), in whichR¹⁰⁷ represents a radical of the formula (CXII) or (CXIII).

[0209] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formula

[0210] where

[0211] X¹⁰⁵ represents S or CR¹¹⁰R¹¹¹,

[0212] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0213] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0214] R¹¹⁰ and R¹¹¹ represent, independently of one another, methyl orethyl or

[0215] CR¹¹⁰R¹¹¹ represents a bivalent radical of the formula

[0216] where two bonds go out from the asterisked (*) atom,

[0217] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0218] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0219] X¹⁰⁴ represents 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-yl,benzothiazol-2-yl, oxazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, benzimidazol-2-yl,N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl- or N-ethyl-benzimidazol-2-yl or a radical ofthe formula

[0220] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, hydrogen,methyl, cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and

[0221] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0222] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0223] X¹⁰⁵ preferably represents C(CH₃)₂. Y¹ preferably represents CH.CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents a radical of the formula

[0224] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends, and

[0225] R¹¹⁵, R¹¹⁶ and An⁻ are as defined above.

[0226] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ particularly preferably represents a radical of one ofthe formulae (CXXVIII) to (CXXX).

[0227] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formulae

[0228] where

[0229] R¹¹² represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0230] R¹¹³ and R¹¹⁴ represent hydrogen or together represent a—CH═CH—CH═CH— bridge,

[0231] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0232] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formulae

[0233] where

[0234] R¹¹² represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0235] R¹¹³ and R¹¹⁴ represent hydrogen or together represent a—CH═CH—CH═CH— bridge,

[0236] Y¹⁰¹ represents Nor CH,

[0237] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0238] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0239] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0240] a radical of the formula

[0241] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0242] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₂SO₃⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0243] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0244] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0245] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0246] Y¹ preferably represents CH.

[0247] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formulae

[0248] where

[0249] R¹¹² represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0250] R¹¹³ and R¹¹⁴ represent hydrogen or together represent a—CH═CH—CH═CH— bridge,

[0251] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0252] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0253] X¹⁰⁴ represents 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-yl,benzothiazol-2-yl, oxazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, benzimidazol-2-yl,N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl or N-ethyl-benzimidazol-2-yl or a radical ofthe formula

[0254] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, hydrogen,methyl, cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and

[0255] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0256] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0257] Y¹ preferably represents CH. CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents aradical of the formula

[0258] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends, and

[0259] R¹¹⁵, R¹¹⁶ and An⁻ are as defined above.

[0260] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formula

[0261] where

[0262] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, benzyl orphenethyl or

[0263] NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0264] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0265] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0266] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0267] a radical of the formula

[0268] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0269] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₂SO₃⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0270] M⁺ represents a cation,

[0271] An⁻ represents an anion and

[0272] n represents 1 or 2,

[0273] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0274] n preferably represents 2. CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents aradical of the formula (CIX), where R¹⁰⁷ represents a radical of theformula (CXII) or (CXIII).

[0275] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formula

[0276] where

[0277] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, benzyl orphenethyl or

[0278] NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0279] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0280] X¹⁰⁴ represents 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-yl,benzothiazol-2-yl, oxazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, benzimidazol-2-yl,N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl or N-ethyl-benzimidazol-2-yl or a radial ofthe formula

[0281] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, hydrogen,methyl, cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and

[0282] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0283] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0284] n preferably represents 2. CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents aradical of the formula

[0285] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends, and

[0286] R¹¹⁵, R¹¹⁶ and An are as defined above.

[0287] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ particularly preferably represents a radical of one ofthe formulae (CXXVIII) to (CXXX).

[0288] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formula

[0289] where

[0290] X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂,

[0291] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0292] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0293] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0294] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0295] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0296] a radical of the formula

[0297] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0298] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, —CH₂SO₃⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0299] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0300] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0301] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0302] X¹⁰⁵ preferably represents S or CH₂. Y¹ preferably represents CH.CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents a radical of the formula (CIX) in whichR¹⁰⁷ represents a radical of the formula (CXII) or (CXIII).

[0303] Further merocyanines which are very particularly preferred forthe purposes of the invention are those of the formula

[0304] where

[0305] X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂,

[0306] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0307] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0308] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, acetyl, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0309] X¹⁰⁴ represents 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-yl,benzothiazol-2-yl, oxazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, benzimidazol-2-yl,N-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl or N-ethylbenzimidazol-2-yl or a radical ofthe formula

[0310] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, hydrogen,methyl, cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and

[0311] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0312] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl etc., may bebranched.

[0313] X¹⁰⁵ preferably represents S or CH₂. Y¹ preferably represents CH.CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents a radical of the formula

[0314] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends, and

[0315] R¹¹⁵, R¹¹⁶ and An⁻ are as defined above.

[0316] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ particularly preferably represents a radical of one theformulae (CXXVIII) to (CXXX).

[0317] In the formulae (CIII), (CXVI), (CXVIII), (CXVIIIa) and (CXXXI),

[0318] Y¹⁰¹ preferably represents CH and/oder

[0319] in the formulae (CIII), (CIIIa), (CXVI), (CXVIII), (CXVIIIa),(CXIX) and (CXXXI) CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ preferably represents a ring of the formula(CV), (CVII), (CIX) or (CXXII) or a radical of one of the formulae(CXXVIII) to (CXXX).

[0320] Some merocyanines of the formula (I) are known, e.g. from F.Würthner, Synthesis 1999, 2103; F. Würthner, R. Sens, K. -H. Etzbach, G.Seybold, Angew. Chem. 1999, 111, 1753; DE-A 43 44 116; DE-A 44 40 066;WO 98/23688; JP 52 99 379; JP 53 14 734.

[0321] The invention further provides merocyanines of the formula

[0322] where

[0323] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0324] X¹⁰² represents CH,

[0325] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0326] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0327] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen,

[0328] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0329] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0330] where

[0331] X¹⁰¹ represents S,

[0332] X¹⁰² represents N,

[0333] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or

[0334] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino or piperidino,

[0335] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen or phenyl,

[0336] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0337] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0338] where

[0339] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0340] R¹⁰⁸ represents propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl,chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0341] R¹⁰⁹ represents methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano, chlorine,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0342] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0343] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0344] where

[0345] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0346] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0347] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0348] NR¹⁰¹R¹¹² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0349] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen or phenyl,

[0350] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen or cyano,

[0351] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0352] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0353] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0354] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0355] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0356] where

[0357] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0358] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0359] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0360] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0361] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0362] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or a radical of the formula

[0363] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0364] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0365] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0366] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

[0367] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0368] R¹⁰⁷ represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0369] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0370] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0371] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0372] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0373] where

[0374] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0375] X¹⁰² represents CR¹⁰⁴,

[0376] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or

[0377] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino or morpholino,

[0378] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl,

[0379] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl,

[0380] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0381] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0382] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0383] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, methoxyethyl,methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl,cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂,—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃ An⁻ or

[0384] a radical of the formula

[0385] R¹⁰⁶ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl,

[0386] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0387] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0388] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0389] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0390] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0391] where

[0392] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0393] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0394] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0395] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0396] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0397] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or a radical of the formula

[0398] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0399] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0400] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0401] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0402] a radical of the formula

[0403] R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0404] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0405] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0406] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0407] where

[0408] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0409] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0410] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or

[0411] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0412] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen or phenyl,

[0413] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen or cyano,

[0414] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0415] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0416] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0417] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0418] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0419] where

[0420] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0421] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0422] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or

[0423] NR¹⁰¹ R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0424] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen or phenyl,

[0425] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen or cyano,

[0426] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0427] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0428] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0429] R¹⁰⁵ represents propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl,chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂,—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻ or

[0430] a radical of the formula

[0431] the two radicals R¹⁰⁵ may be different and

[0432] M⁺ represents a cation,

[0433] An⁻ 0 represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such aspropyl, butyl, etc., may be branched.

[0434] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0435] where

[0436] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0437] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0438] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0439] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0440] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0441] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or a radical of the formula

[0442] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0443] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0444] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0445] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl,

[0446] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0447] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

[0448] and

[0449] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0450] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0451] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0452] where

[0453] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0454] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0455] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0456] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0457] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0458] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or a radical of the formula

[0459] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0460] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and

[0461] X¹⁰⁴ represents benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl or 2- or4-pyridyl,

[0462] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0463] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0464] where

[0465] X¹⁰¹ represents O or S,

[0466] X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴,

[0467] R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl andR¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or

[0468] NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0469] R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²,

[0470] R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine, cyano,formyl or a radical of the formula

[0471] Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH,

[0472] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a radical of the formula

[0473] one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl,cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and

[0474] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0475] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0476] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0477] where

[0478] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0479] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0480] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0481] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0482] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0483] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0484] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0485] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0486] where

[0487] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0488] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0489] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0490] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0491] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0492] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0493] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0494] a radical of the formula

[0495] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0496] R¹⁰⁷ represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0497] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0498] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0499] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0500] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0501] where

[0502] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0503] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0504] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0505] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0506] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0507] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0508] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0509] a radical of the formula

[0510] R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0511] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0512] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0513] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0514] where

[0515] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0516] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0517] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0518] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0519] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0520] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0521] R¹⁰⁵ represents propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl,methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl,chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂,—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻ or

[0522] a radical of the formula

[0523] the two radicals R¹⁰⁵ may be different and

[0524] M⁺ represents a cation,

[0525] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0526] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0527] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0528] where

[0529] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0530] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0531] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0532] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0533] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0534] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0535] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl,

[0536] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0537] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

[0538] and

[0539] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0540] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0541] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0542] where

[0543] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0544] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0545] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0546] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0547] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and

[0548] X¹⁰⁴ represents benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl or 2- or4-pyridyl, preferably 2-pyridyl,

[0549] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0550] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0551] where

[0552] X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂,

[0553] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0554] R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl,

[0555] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0556] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a radical of the formula

[0557] one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl,cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and

[0558] An⁻represents an anion,

[0559] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0560] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0561] where

[0562] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or

[0563] NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0564] n represents 1 or 2,

[0565] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0566] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0567] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0568] a radical of the formula

[0569] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl, R¹⁰⁷ represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻M⁺or a radical of the formula

[0570] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0571] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0572] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0573] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0574] where

[0575] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or

[0576] NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0577] n represents 1 or 2,

[0578] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0579] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0580] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0581] a radical of the formula

[0582] R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0583] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0584] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0585] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0586] where

[0587] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or

[0588] NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0589] n represents 1 or 2,

[0590] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0591] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0592] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl,

[0593] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0594] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

[0595] and

[0596] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0597] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0598] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0599] where

[0600] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or

[0601] NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0602] n represents 1 or 2,

[0603] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and

[0604] X¹⁰⁴ represents benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl or 2- or4-pyridyl, preferably 2-pyridyl,

[0605] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0606] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0607] where

[0608] R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or

[0609] NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,

[0610] n represents 1 or 2,

[0611] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a radical of the formula

[0612] one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl,cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and

[0613] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0614] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0615] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0616] where

[0617] X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂,

[0618] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0619] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0620] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0621] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0622] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0623] a radical of the formula

[0624] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0625] R¹⁰⁷ represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻ M⁺ or a radical of the formula

[0626] M⁺ represents a cation and

[0627] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0628] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0629] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0630] where

[0631] X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂,

[0632] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0633] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0634] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0635] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0636] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or

[0637] a radical of the formula

[0638] R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0639] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl,

[0640] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0641] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0642] where

[0643] X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂,

[0644] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0645] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0646] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

[0647] where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which thedouble bond extends,

[0648] R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl,

[0649] R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl,

[0650] R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

[0651] and

[0652] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0653] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0654] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0655] where

[0656] X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂,

[0657] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0658] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0659] X¹⁰³ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and

[0660] X¹⁰⁴ represents benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl or 2- or4-pyridyl, preferably 2-pyridyl,

[0661] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0662] The invention likewise provides merocyanines of the formula

[0663] where

[0664] X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂,

[0665] R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl,

[0666] Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,

[0667] CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a radical of the formula

[0668] one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl,cyano or 2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and

[0669] An⁻ represents an anion,

[0670] where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.

[0671] The light-absorbent compounds described guarantee a sufficientlyhigh reflectivity (>10%) of the optical data carrier in the unwrittenstate and a sufficiently high absorption for thermal degradation of theinformation layer on point-wise illumination with focused light if thewavelength of the light is in the range from 360 to 460 nm, from 600 to680 nm and from 750 to 820 nm. The contrast between written andunwritten points on the data carrier is achieved by the reflectivitychange of the amplitude and also the phase of the incident light due tothe changed optical properties of the information layer after thethermal degradation.

[0672] The merocyanine dyes are preferably applied to the optical datacarrier by spin coating or vacuum vapour deposition. The merocyaninescan be mixed with one another or with other dyes having similar spectralproperties. The information layer can comprise not only the merocyaninedyes but also additives such as binders, wetting agents, stabilizers,diluents and sensitizers and also further constituents.

[0673] Apart from the information layer, further layers such as metallayers, dielectric layers and protective layers may be present in theoptical data carrier. Metals and dielectric layers serve, inter alia, toadjust the reflectivity and the heat absorption/retention. Metals canbe, depending on the laser wavelength, gold, silver, aluminium, etc.Examples of dielectric layers are silicon dioxide and silicon nitride.Protective layers are, for example, photocurable surface coatings,(pressure-sensitive) adhesive layers and protective films.

[0674] Pressure-sensitive adhesive layers consist mainly of acrylicadhesives. Nitto Denko DA-8320 or DA-8310, disclosed in the patent JP-A11-2731471, can, for example, be used for this purpose.

[0675] The optical data carrier has, for example, the following layerstructure (cf. FIG. 1): a transparent substrate (1), if desired aprotective layer (2), an information layer (3), if desired a protectivelayer (4), if desired an adhesive layer (5), a covering layer(6).

[0676] The structure of the optical data carrier preferably:

[0677] comprises a preferably transparent substrate (1) to whose surfaceat least one light-writeable information layer (3) which can be writtenon by means of light, preferably laser light, if desired a protectivelayer (4), if desired an adhesive layer (5) and a transparent coveringlayer (6) have been applied.

[0678] comprises a preferably transparent substrate (1) to whose surfacea protective layer (2), at least one information layer (3) which can bewritten on by means of light, preferably laser light, if desired anadhesive layer (5) and a transparent covering layer (6) have beenapplied.

[0679] comprises a preferably transparent substrate (1) to whose surfacea protective layer (2) if desired, at least one information layer (3)which can be written on by means of light, preferably laser light, ifdesired a protective layer (4), if desired an adhesive layer (5) and atransparent covering layer (6) have been applied.

[0680] comprises a preferably transparent substrate (1) to whose surfaceat least one information layer (3) which can be written on by means oflight, preferably laser light, if desired an adhesive layer (5) and atransparent covering layer (6) have been applied.

[0681] Alternatively, the optical data carrier has, for example, thefollowing layer structure (cf. FIG. 2): a preferably transparentsubstrate (11), an information layer (12), if desired a reflection layer(13), if desired an adhesive layer (14), a further preferablytransparent substrate (15).

[0682] Alternatively, the optical data carrier has, for example, thefollowing layer structure (cf. FIG. 3): a preferably transparentsubstrate (21), an information layer (22), if desired a reflection layer(23), a protective layer (24).

[0683] The invention further provides optical data carriers according tothe invention which have been written on by means of blue, red orinfrared light, in particular laser light.

[0684] The following examples illustrate the subject-matter of theinvention.

EXAMPLES Example 1

[0685] 2.2 g of 1-methyl-3-cyano-4-ethoxycarbonyl-6-hydroxy-2-pyridoneand 2.0 g of 1,3,3-trimethylindole-2-methylene-ω-aldehyde were stirredin 5 ml of acetic anhydride at 90° C. for 2 hours. After cooling, themixture was poured into 100 ml of ice water, filtered with suction andthe solid was washed with water. The solid was stirred in 20 ml ofwater/methanol 3:1, filtered off with suction and dried. This gave 3.0 g(74% of theory) of a blue powder of the formula

[0686] m.p.=183-185° C.

[0687] UV (dioxane): λ_(max)=587 nm

[0688] UV (DMF): λ_(max)=609 nm

[0689] ε=56010 l/mol cm

[0690] Δλ=22 nm

[0691] λ_(1/2)-λ_(1/10)(long wavelength flank)=27 nm

[0692] Solubility: >2% in TFP (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol).

Example 2

[0693] An analogous procedure using 1.0 g of dimethylacrolein instead of1,3,3-trimethylindole-2-methylene-ω-aldehyde gave 1.9 g (63% of theory)of a reddish violet powder of the formula

[0694] m.p.=160-165° C.

[0695] UV (dioxane): λ_(max)=542 nm

[0696] UV (DMF): λ_(max)=567 nm

[0697] ε=31630 l/mol cm

[0698] Δλ=25 nm

[0699] λ_(1/2)-λ_(1/10)(short wavelength flank)=42 nm

[0700] Solubility: >2% in TFP.

Example 3

[0701] 2.03 g of 3-pyridino-4-methyl-6-hydroxy-pyridone chloride and 2.0g of 1,3,3-trimethylindole-2-methylene-ω-aldehyde were stirred in 10 mlof acetic anhydride at 90° C. for 2 hours. After cooling, the mixturewas poured into 200 ml of water. 2.8 g of sodium tetrafluoroborate wereadded to the orange solution. After stirring overnight, the mixture wasfiltered with suction, the solid was washed with 20 ml of water anddried. This gave 3.3 g (74% of theory) of a reddish orange powder of theformula

[0702] m.p. >300° C.

[0703] UV (methanol): λ_(max)=513 m

[0704] ε=86510 l/mol cm

[0705] λ_(1/2)-λ_(1/10)(short wavelength flank)=38 nm

[0706] Solubility: >2% in TFP.

Example 4

[0707] 0.7 g of 5-dimethylaminofuran-2-carbaldehyde and 1.5 g ofN-methyl-N′-dodecyl-barbituric acid were stirred in 15 ml of aceticanhydride at 90° C. for 30 minutes. After cooling, the mixture waspoured into 100 ml of ice water, filtered with suction and the solid waswashed with water. This gave 1.7 g (79% of theory) of an orange powderof the formula

[0708] m.p. 118-120° C.

[0709] UV (dioxane): λ_(max)=483 nm

[0710] ε=53360 l/mol cm

[0711] λ_(1/2)-λ_(1/10)(short wavelength flank)=32 nm

[0712] Solubility: >1% in benzyl alcohol.

[0713] Further examples according to the invention are shown in thefollowing tables: TABLE 1 (formula (VI)) Ex- ample

Y¹ ═CX¹X² λ_(max) ¹⁾/ nm ε/ l/mol cm λ_(1/2)-λ_(1/10)/ nm Δλ²⁾/ nm  5

C—CN ═C(CN)₂ 470  40990 32³⁾ 16  6 ″ CH

502  62860 33³⁾  7

CH ″ 539 146480 18⁴⁾ 1.5  8 ″ CH

472  70880 32³⁾ 5  9 ″ CH

490⁶⁾ 117700 10 ″ CH

539 106640 11

CH

12

CH

13

CH

508  78400 14

CH

535 112260 13⁴⁾ 15

CH

483  53360 16 ″ CH

535 128960 1.3 17

CH

536⁶⁾ 115603 2 18

CH

535 112260 13⁴⁾ 19

CH

20 ″ CH

21

N

22 ″ C—CN ═C(CN)₂ 23

CH

24

CH

25

CH

26

CH

27

CH

28

CH

490  35000 40³⁾ 23 29

CH

508 153420 11⁴⁾ 30

CH

537  85995 16⁵⁾ 31 ″ CH

469  46735 32

CH

472  62026 42³⁾ 33 ″ CH

432⁵⁾  28360 34

CH

35

CH

36

CH

[0714] TABLE 2 (formula (VII)) Ex- ample

Y²-Y¹ ═CX¹X² λ_(max) ¹⁾/ nm ε/ l/mol cm λ_(1/2)-λ_(1/10)/ nm Δλ²⁾/ nm 37

CH—C(CN) ═C(CN)₂ 499 46470 36³⁾ 5 38 ″ CH—CH

429 60390 30³⁾ 7 39 ″ CH—CH

487 102220  35³⁾ 6 40 ″ CH—CH

448 76260 27³⁾ 2 41 ″ CH—CH

469 76130 28³⁾ 3 42 ″ CH—CH

520 113100  12⁴⁾ 2 43

CH—C(CN) ═C(CN)₂ 511 31345 36³⁾ 6 44

CH—C(CN) ″ 503 41530 36³⁾ 6 45

CH—CH

519 55910 11⁴⁾ 46

CH—CH

47 ″ CH—CH

48

CH—CH

49

CH—CH

50 ″ CH—CH

473 47640 51

CH—CH

52 ″ CH—CH

496 62720 53 ″ CH—CH

500 110332  54

CH—CH

55

CH—CH

490⁶⁾ 109380  5 56

CH—CH

450 57

CH—CH

462 57230 34³⁾ 58

CH—CH

459⁵⁾ 36010 59

CH—CH ″ 462⁵⁾ 24400 60 ″ CH—CH

466 75006 10⁴⁾ 61

CH—CH ″ 512⁶⁾ 36610 25⁴⁾ 36⁷⁾ 62

═C(CN)₂ 63

CH—CH

514⁸⁾ 63510 40³⁾ 64

CH—CH

577⁵⁾ 65

CH—CH ″ 587⁵⁾ 142900  66

CH—CH

546⁵⁾ 67

CH—CH ″ 554⁵⁾ 50900

[0715] TABLE 3 (formula (VIII)) Ex- ample

Y¹ ═CX¹X² λ_(max) ¹⁾/ nm ε/ l/mol cm λ_(1/2)-λ_(1/10)/ nm Δλ²⁾/ nm 68

CH

462  77180 28³⁾ 8 69 ″ CH

70 ″ CH

446⁵⁾ 71 ″ CH

564⁶⁾  89100 72

CH

480  79685 1.3 73 ″ CH

447  84070 74

CH

482  73010 4.3 75 ″ CH

469⁵⁾  62780 76

CH

458  89800 28³⁾ 77 ″ CH

390⁶⁾  80200 11⁴⁾ 78 ″ CH

366 79 ″ CH

382  62900 80

CH

585 119800 28⁴⁾ 81 ″ CH

82

CH ″ 452  61685 83

CH

337 84

CH

552⁶⁾ 149800 85

CH

509⁵⁾

Example 86

[0716] A 4% strength by weight solution of the dye from Example 7 in2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropanol was prepared at room temperature. Thissolution was applied by means of spin coating to a pregroovedpolycarbonate substrate. The pregrooved polycarbonate substrate had beenproduced as a disk by means of injection moulding. The dimensions of thedisk and the groove structure corresponded to those customarily used forDVD-Rs. The disk with the dye layer as information carrier was coatedwith 100 nm of silver by vapour deposition. A UV-curable acrylic coatingcomposition was subsequently applied by spin coating and cured by meansof a UV lamp. The disk was tested by means of a dynamic writing testapparatus constructed on an optical tester bench comprising a diodelaser (λ=405 nm) for generating linearly polarized light, apolarization-sensitive beam splitter, a λ/4 plate and a movablysuspended collecting lens having a numerical aperture NA=0.65 (actuatorlens). The light reflected from the reflection layer of the disk wastaken out from the beam path by means of the abovementionedpolarization-sensitive beam splitter and focused by means of anastigmatic lens onto a four-quadrant detector. At a linear velocityV=5.2 m/s and a writing power P_(w)=13.2 mW, a signal-noise ratio C/N=48dB was measured. The writing power was applied as an oscillating pulsesequence, with the disk being irradiated alternately for 1 μs with theabove-mentioned writing power P_(w) and for 4 μs with the reading powerP_(r)≈0.44 mW. The disk was irradiated with this oscillating pulsesequence until it had rotated once. The marking produced in this way wasthen read using the reading power P_(r)≈0.44 mW and the abovementionedsignal/noise ratio C/N was measured.

Example 87

[0717] A procedure analogous to that of Example 86 was used to produceand measure a disk with the dye from Example 2. At a writing powerP_(w)=13.2 mW and a linear velocity V=2.6 m/s, C/N=45 dB was obtained.

Example 88

[0718] A disk with the dye from Example 65 which had been produced usinga method analogous to Example 86 was measured in a test apparatus whichwas similar to that in Example 86 but differed in the diode laser (λ=656nm) and the actuator lens (NA=0.60). At a writing power P_(w)=24 mW anda linear velocity V=3.5 m/s, C/N=39.5 dB was obtained.

1. Optical data carrier comprising a preferably transparent substratewhich may, if desired, have previously been coated with one or morereflection layers and to whose surface a light-writeable informationlayer, if desired one or more reflection layers and if desired aprotective layer or a further substrate or a covering layer have beenapplied, which can be written on or read by means of blue, red orinfrared light, preferably laser light, where the information layercomprises a light-absorbent compound and, if desired, a binder,characterized in that at least one merocyanine dye is used aslight-absorbent compound.
 2. Optical data carrier according to claim 1,characterized in that the merocyanine dye has the formula

where A represents a radical of the formula

X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R², CONHR³, CONR³R⁴ or SO₂R¹, X² representshydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, a five- or six-membered heterocyclicradical, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R², CONHR³, CONR³R⁴; SO₂R¹ or a radical of theformula

or CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

which may be benzo- or naphtho-fused and/or substituted by nonionic orionic radicals, where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom fromwhich the double bond extends, X³ represents N or CH, X⁴ represents O,S, N, N—R⁶ or CH, where X³ and X⁴ do not simultaneously represent CH, X⁵represents O, S or N—R⁶, X⁶ represents O, S, N, N—R⁶, CH or CH₂, thering B of the formula (II)

together with X⁴, X³ and the C atom between them and the ring C of theformula (V)

together with X⁵, X⁶ and the C atom between them each represent,independently of one another, a five- or six-membered aromatic,pseudoaromatic or partially hydrogenated heterocyclic ring which cancontain from 1 to 4 heteroatoms and/or may be benzo- or naphtho-fusedand/or substituted by nonionic or ionic radicals, the ring D togetherwith the N atom represents a hydrogenated five- or six-memberedheterocyclic ring which can contain from 1 to 4 heteroatoms and/or maybe substituted by nonionic or ionic radicals, the ring E together withthe N atom represents an aromatic, pseudoaromatic or partiallyhydrogenated five- or six-membered heterocyclic ring which can containfrom 1 to 4 heteroatoms and/or may be benzo- or naphtho-fused and/orsubstituted by nonionic or ionic radicals, An⁻ represents an anion, Y¹represents N or C—R⁷, Y² represents N or C—R⁸, R⁰ represents C₁-C₆-alkylor C₇-C₁₅-aralkyl, R¹ to R⁶ and R^(5′) represent, independently of oneanother, hydrogen, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₃-C₆-alkenyl, C₅-C₇-cycloalkyl,C₆-C₁₀-aryl or C₇-C₁₅-aralkyl, R⁷ and R⁸ represent, independently of oneanother, hydrogen, cyano or C₁-C₆-alkyl or R⁶ and R⁸ together representa —(CH₂)₂— or (CH₂)₃— bridge, R⁹ and R¹⁰ represent, independently of oneanother, C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, a five- or six-membered heterocyclicradical or C₇-C₁₅-aralkyl or NR⁹R¹⁰ may form a five- or six-memberedring and n represents 1 or
 2. 3. Optical data carrier according to claim2, characterized in that the ring B of the formula (II) representsfuran-2-yl, thiophen-2-yl, pyrrol-2-yl, benzofuran-2-yl,benzothiophen-2-yl, thiazol-5-yl, imidazol-5-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl,1,3,4-triazol-2-yl, 2- or 4-pyridyl, 2- or 4-quinolyl, where theindividual rings may be substituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy,fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl,C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-acylamino, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy,C₆-C₁₀-arylcarbonylamino, mono- or di-C₁-C₆-alkylamino,N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-N—C₆-C₁₀-arylamino, pyrrolidino, morpholino or piperidino,and the ring C of the formula (V) represents benzothiazol-2-ylidene,benzoxazol-2-ylidene, benzimidazol-2-ylidene, pyrrolin-2-ylidene,thiazol-2-ylidene, thiazolin-2-ylidene, isothiazol-3-ylidene,isoxazol-3-ylidene, oxazolin-2-ylidene, imidazol-2-ylidene,pyrazol-5-ylidene, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylidene,1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylidene, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-ylidene,1,3,4-triazol-2-ylidene, 3H-indol-2-ylidene, dihydropyridin-2- or-4-ylidene, dihydroquinolin-2- or -4-ylidene, where the individual ringsmay be substituted by C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,C₁-C₆-acylamino, C₆-C₁₀-aryl, C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy, C₆-C₁₀-arylcarbonylamino,mono- or di-C₁-C₆-alkylamino, N—C₁-C₆-alkyl-N—C₆-C₁₀-arylamino,pyrrolidino, morpholino or piperidino.
 4. Optical data carrier accordingto one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the merocyaninedye has the formula (VI)

where X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or SO₂R¹, X² represents hydrogen,methyl, ethyl, phenyl, 2- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-110 yl,benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or a radical ofthe formula

or CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

which may be substituted by up to 3 radicals selected from the groupconsisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenyl,

 SO₃ ⁻M⁺, —CH₂—SO₃ ⁻M⁺, where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atomfrom which the double bond extends, An⁻ represents an anion, M⁺represents a cation, X³ represents CH, X⁴ represents O, S or N—R⁶, thering B of the formula (II) represents furan-2-yl, thiophen-2-yl,pyrrol-2-yl or thiazol-5-yl, where the rings mentioned may each besubstituted by methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine,chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl,methylthio, ethylthio, phenoxy, tolyloxy, dimethylamino, diethylamino,dipropylamino, dibutylamino, N-methyl-N-phenylamino, pyrrolidino ormorpholino, Y¹ represents N or C—R⁷, R¹, R², R⁵ and R⁶ represent,independently of one another, hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, phenyl or benzyl and R⁵ may also represent—(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂ or —(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻, R^(5′) represents methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl or benzyl and R⁷ representshydrogen or cyano.
 5. Optical data carrier according to one or more ofclaims 1 to 3, characterized in that the merocyanine dye has the formula(VII)

where X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or SO₂R¹, X² represents hydrogen,methyl, ethyl, phenyl, 2- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl,benzoxazol-2-yl, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or a radical of the formula

or CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

which may be substituted by up to 3 radicals selected from the groupconsisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenyl,

 SO₃ ⁻M⁺, —CH₂—SO₃ ⁻M⁺, where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atomfrom which the double bond extends, An⁻ represents an anion, M⁺represents a cation, X⁵ represents N—R⁶, X⁶ represents S, N—R⁶ or CH₂,the ring C of the formula (V) represents benzothiazol-2-ylidene,benzimidazol-2-ylidene, thiazol-2-ylidene, thiazolin-2-ylidene,1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylidene, 1,3,4-triazol-2-ylidene,dihydropyridin-4-ylidene, dihydroquinolin-4-ylidene, pyrrolin-2-ylideneor 3H-indol-2-ylidene, where the rings mentioned may each be substitutedby methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methylthio,ethylthio, dimethylamino, diethylamino, dipropylamino, dibutylamino,N-methyl-N-phenylamino, pyrrolidino or morpholino, Y²-Y¹ represents N—Nor (C—R⁸)—(C—R⁷), R¹, R², R⁵ and R⁶ represent, independently of oneanother, hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenylor benzyl and R⁵ may also represent —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂ or—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻, R^(5′) represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, phenyl or benzyl, R⁷ and R⁸ represent hydrogen or R⁶ andR⁸ together represent a —CH₂—CH₂— bridge.
 6. Optical data carrieraccording to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that themerocyanine dye has the formula (VIII)

where X¹ represents CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or SO₂R¹, X² represents hydrogen,methyl, ethyl, phenyl, 2- or 4-pyridyl, thiazol-2-yl, benzothiazol-2-yl,benzoxazol-2-yl, CN, CO—R¹, COO—R² or a radical of the formula

or CX¹X² represents a ring of the formula

which may be substituted by up to 3 radicals selected from the groupconsisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, fluorine, chlorine,bromine, cyano, nitro, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, phenyl,

 SO₃ ⁻M⁺, —CH₂—SO₃ ⁻M⁺, where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atomfrom which the double bond extends, An⁻ represents an anion, M⁺represents a cation, NR⁹R¹⁰ represents dimethylamino, diethylamino,dipropylamino, dibutylamino, N-methyl-N-phenylamino,N-ethyl-N-phenylamino, N-methyl-N-tolylamino, N-methyl-N-anisylamino,carbazolo, pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino, Y¹ represents N orC—R⁷, R¹, R², R⁵ and R⁶ represent, independently of one another,hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl or benzyland R⁵ may also represent —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂ or —(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻, R^(5′)represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, phenyl orbenzyl, R⁷ represents hydrogen and n represents 0 or
 1. 7. Optical datacarrier according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in thatthe merocyanine dye of the formula (I) has a solvent-induced wavelengthshift Δλ of <20 nm, where Δλ=|λ_(DMF)−λ_(dioxane)|, viz. the positivedifference between the absorption wavelengths in the solventsdimethylformamide and dioxane.
 8. Optical data carrier according to oneor more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the merocyanine dye hasa dipole moment difference Δμ of <5 D, where Δμ=|μ_(g)−μ_(ex)|, viz. thepositive difference between the dipole moments in the ground state andthe first excited state.
 9. Use of merocyanines in the information layerof write-once optical data carriers, where the merocyanines have anabsorption maximum λ_(max1) in the range from 340 to 410 nm, a λ_(max2)in the range from 420 to 650 nm or a λ_(max3) in the range from 650 to810 nm.
 10. Use of merocyanines in the information layer of write-onceoptical data carriers, where the data carriers are written on and readby means of blue laser light.
 11. Process for producing the optical datacarriers according to claim 1, which is characterized in that apreferably transparent substrate which may, if desired, have previouslybeen coated with a reflection layer is coated with the merocyanines, ifdesired in combination with suitable binders and additives and, ifdesired, suitable solvents, and provided, if desired, with a reflectionlayer, further intermediate layers and, if desired, a protective layeror a further substrate or a covering layer.
 12. Optical data carrieraccording to claim 1 which can be written on by means of blue, red orinfrared light, in particular laser light.
 13. Merocyanines of theformula (CI)

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents CH, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl,butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula (CI)

where X¹⁰¹ represents S, X¹⁰² represents N, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰² represent,independently of one another, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl,benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² representspyrrolidino or piperidino, R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen or phenyl, where thealkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or theformula (CXIV)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents propyl, butyl, pentyl,hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl orphenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, cyano,chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or ethoxycarbonyl, where thealkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or theformula (CIII)

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR^(104,) R¹⁰¹ andR¹⁰² represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen or phenyl, R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen or cyano,Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., maybe branched, or the formula (CIII)

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰², R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine,cyano, formyl or a radical of the formula

Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, trifluoromethyl,cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl, R¹⁰⁷represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

M⁺ represents a cation and An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula(CIII)

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents CR¹⁰⁴ R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl,cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²represents pyrrolidino or morpholino, R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methylor ethyl, R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH,CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl,methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl,chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, —(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂,—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻ or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano,methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, M⁺ represents a cation and An⁻represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl,etc., may be branched, or the formula (CIII)

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰², R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine,cyano, formyl or a radical of the formula

Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, R¹⁰⁷represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula(CIII)

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino, R¹⁰³ representshydrogen or phenyl, R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen or cyano, Y¹⁰¹ representsCH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., maybe branched, or the formula (CIII)

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also be hydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰²represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino, R¹⁰³ representshydrogen or phenyl, R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen or cyano, Y¹⁰¹ representsCH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl,—(CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂, —(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻ or a radical of the formula

the two radicals R¹⁰⁵ may be different and M⁺ represents a cation, An⁻represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl,etc., may be branched, or the formula

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰², R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine,cyano, formyl or a radical of the formula

Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl, R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl, R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

and An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl,butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula

X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰², R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine,cyano, formyl or a radical of the formula

Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH, X¹⁰³ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl and X¹⁰⁴ represents benzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl or2- or 4-pyridyl, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc.,may be branched, or the formula

where X¹⁰¹ represents O or S, X¹⁰² represents N or CR¹⁰⁴, R¹⁰¹ and R¹⁰²represent, independently of one another, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenyl and R¹⁰¹ may also behydrogen or NR¹⁰¹R¹⁰² represents pyrrolidino, piperidino or morpholino,R¹⁰³ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl,cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl, thienyl, chlorine orNR¹⁰¹R¹⁰², R¹⁰⁴ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, chlorine,cyano, formyl or a radical of the formula

Y¹⁰¹ represents N or CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a radical of the formula

one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, cyano or2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and An⁻ represents ananion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched, or the formula (CXVI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,cyano, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of theformula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., maybe branched, or the formula (CXVI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,cyano, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of theformula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, trifluoromethyl,cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl, R¹⁰⁷represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

M⁺ represents a cation and An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula(CXVI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,cyano, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of theformula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, R¹⁰⁷represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula(CXVI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,cyano, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of theformula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl,octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl,acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl, methoxyphenyl,CH₂)₃—N(CH₃)₂, —(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₃An⁻ or a radical of the formula

the two radicals R¹⁰⁵ may be different and M⁺ represents a cation, An⁻represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl,etc., may be branched, or the formula (CXVI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,cyano, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a ring of theformula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl, R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl, R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

and An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl,butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula (CXVI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,cyano, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, X¹⁰³ represents cyano,methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and X¹⁰⁴ represents benzothiazol-2-yl,benzoxazol-2-yl or 2- or 4-pyridyl, preferably 2-pyridyl, where thealkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or theformula (CXVI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents C(CH₃)₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl, propyl,butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, R¹⁰⁹ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,cyano, chlorine, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxycarbonyl orethoxycarbonyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a radical ofthe formula

one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, cyano or2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and An⁻ represents ananion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched, or the formula (CXIX)

n represents 1 or 2, or the formula (CXIX)

where R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino,piperidino or morpholino, n represents 1 or 2, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents aring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, trifluoromethyl,cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl, R¹⁰⁷represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

M⁺ represents a cation and An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula(CXIX)

where R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino,piperidino or morpholino, n represents 1 or 2, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents aring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, R¹⁰⁷represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula

where R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino,piperidino or morpholino, n represents 1 or 2, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents aring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl, R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl, R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl,etc., may be branched, or the formula (CXIX)

where R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino,piperidino or morpholino, n represents 1 or 2, X¹⁰³ represents cyano,methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and X¹⁰⁴ represents benzothiazol-2-yl,benzoxazol-2-yl or 2- or 4-pyridyl, preferably 2-pyridyl, where thealkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or theformula (CXIX)

where R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represent, independently of one another, methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, phenyl, tolyl,anisyl, benzyl or phenethyl or NR¹¹⁵R¹¹⁶ represents pyrrolidino,piperidino or morpholino, n represents 1 or 2, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents aradical of the formula

one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, cyano or2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and An⁻ represents ananion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched, or the formula (CXXXI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl,methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl,cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, trifluoromethyl,cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl or phenyl, R¹⁰⁷represents —CH₂SO₃ ⁻M⁺ or a radical of the formula

M⁺ represents a cation and An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula(CXXXI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl,methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl,cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl,methoxyphenyl or a radical of the formula

R¹⁰⁶ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, R¹⁰⁷represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl, where the alkylradicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula(CXXXI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl,methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl,cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴represents a ring of the formula

where the asterisk (*) indicates the ring atom from which the doublebond extends, R¹⁰⁵ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl,hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, phenyl, tolyl ormethoxyphenyl, R¹⁰⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,trifluoromethyl, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, cyclohexyl orphenyl, R¹⁰⁷ represents cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl or aradical of the formula

and An⁻ represents an anion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl,butyl, etc., may be branched, or the formula (CXXXI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl,methoxypropyl, cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl,cyclohexyl, benzyl or phenethyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, X¹⁰³ representscyano, methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl and X¹⁰⁴ representsbenzothiazol-2-yl, benzoxazol-2-yl or 2- or 4-pyridyl, preferably2-pyridyl, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched, or the formula (CXXXI)

where X¹⁰⁵ represents O, S or CH₂, R¹⁰⁸ represents methyl, ethyl,propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, methoxyethyl methoxypropyl,cyanoethyl, hydroxyethyl, acetoxyethyl, chloroethyl, cyclohexyl, benzylor phenethyl, Y¹⁰¹ represents CH, CX¹⁰³X¹⁰⁴ represents a radical of theformula

one of the radicals R¹¹⁵ and R¹¹⁶ represents hydrogen, methyl, cyano or2- or 4-pyridyl and the other represents hydrogen, and An⁻ represents ananion, where the alkyl radicals such as propyl, butyl, etc., may bebranched.